29 Mar 2016

Tongan Court quashes removal of two TBC board members

6:55 pm on 29 March 2016

Tonga's Supreme Court has quashed a government decision to remove two directors of the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.

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Photo: 123rf

In October last year the broadcasting minister Poasi Tei, had removed Dowager Lady Fielakepa and Dowager Lady Fusitu'a from the TBC board.

Prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, at the time said it was part of a government reform strategy recommended by the World Bank.

Government had wanted the women to resign voluntarily, but Lady Fusitu'a, who was the chair of the TBC board, refused and said the government was acting outside the law.

Today the Lord Chief Justice, Owen Paulsen, overturned the dismissals and also awarded both women costs.

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